Sally Magnusson asks: if you're caring for someone with dementia, who looks after you?

Sally Magnusson asks: if you're caring for someone with dementia, who looks after you?

As someone who's cared for a parent with dementia, Sally Magnusson is concerned that there isn't enough support for carers. In this Medical Matters, she reveals that 3 out of 4 carers feel their health has suffered as a result, and asks carers what help they need to carry on caring for their loved ones.

Sally Magnusson asks: if you're caring for someone with dementia, who looks after you?

As someone who's cared for a parent with dementia, Sally Magnusson is concerned that there isn't enough support for carers. In this Medical Matters, she reveals that 3 out of 4 carers feel their health has suffered as a result, and asks carers what help they need to carry on caring for their loved ones.

As someone who's cared for a parent with dementia, Sally Magnusson is concerned that there isn't enough support for carers looking after their relatives at home. In this Medical Matters, Sally talks to carers of people with dementia, including campaigner Tommy Whitelaw, who toured Scotland raising awareness of how dementia affects sufferers and their carers, by asking carers to write letters telling their stories that he presents to the Scottish Government. Though caring for a loved one is often a privilege, Sally discusses what makes it such a challenging and traumatic experience, and asks what we can all do to ease the strain on carers.

Cowan in Colour

20131215

Cowan In Colour

20131215

20140505 (RS)

It can stop you having the job you want, impact on relationships and worst of all, make you rubbish at snooker. One in ten men are colour blind, including Tam Cowan.

Cowan In Colour

20131215

20140505 (RS)20140712 (RS)

It can stop you having the job you want, impact on relationships and worst of all, make you rubbish at snooker. One in ten men are colour blind, including Tam Cowan.

Cowan in Colour

20131215

20140712 (RS)

It can stop you having the job you want, impact on relationships and worst of all, make you rubbish at snooker. One in ten men are colour blind, including Tam Cowan.

Hidden Pain

20160914

Hidden Pain

20160914

Edi Stark explores the issues and myths surrounding self-harm in young people.

The number of children admitted to hospital for self-harm has doubled in parts of Scotland over a five-year period, according to a number of charities.

Self-injury can be many things that people do to themselves in a deliberate and often hidden way like; cutting, burning, overdosing, scratching, biting, hair pulling and breaking bones. It is generally a response to profound and overwhelming emotional pain that hasn't been resolved and a way of coping and managing these feelings.

Edi Stark meets former self-harmers to explore some of the myths surrounding the behaviour and talks to parents who have struggled to understand. She also meets experts who can offer advice on how to how to detect the signs and offer support.

Last year, 563 under-18s were admitted for self-harm in Scotland. We know this is only the tip of the iceberg as many people never seek medical attention. Self-harm is a taboo subject and sometimes people think they are the only ones doing it. But research shows that it is very common. In the UK at least one in every 15 young people has experience of self-injury. That is two young people in every classroom. While research indicates that a much higher percentage of females self-harm than males, experts have cautioned against viewing this as a "female" problem as young males often engage in different forms of self-harm.

Hidden Pain

20160914

20160918 (RS)

Edi Stark explores the issues surrounding self-harm in young people.

Edi Stark explores the issues and myths surrounding self-harm in young people.

The number of children admitted to hospital for self-harm has doubled in parts of Scotland over a five-year period, according to a number of charities.

Self-injury can be many things that people do to themselves in a deliberate and often hidden way like; cutting, burning, overdosing, scratching, biting, hair pulling and breaking bones. It is generally a response to profound and overwhelming emotional pain that hasn't been resolved and a way of coping and managing these feelings.

Edi Stark meets former self-harmers to explore some of the myths surrounding the behaviour and talks to parents who have struggled to understand. She also meets experts who can offer advice on how to how to detect the signs and offer support.

Last year, 563 under-18s were admitted for self-harm in Scotland. We know this is only the tip of the iceberg as many people never seek medical attention. Self-harm is a taboo subject and sometimes people think they are the only ones doing it. But research shows that it is very common. In the UK at least one in every 15 young people has experience of self-injury. That is two young people in every classroom. While research indicates that a much higher percentage of females self-harm than males, experts have cautioned against viewing this as a "female" problem as young males often engage in different forms of self-harm.

Poor mental health is a growing issue. One in four of us are reported to feel depressed and it's estimated one in ten takes medication for it. Mental illness is costing us big. A Scottish mental health charity puts it at 10.7 billion pounds a year - through unemployment, sick leave and spiralling rates of anti-depressant use.

But is there another way? Can we treat depression without prescribing a pill?

Since 1998 New Zealand's GPs have been prescribing physical activity as an alternative to medication and now, doctors here are following their lead. Increasingly patients suffering with mild to moderate depression are being referred to exercise schemes. It doesn't cause nasty side-effects such as weight gain or mood swings, and it's much cheaper.

But does it work? Recently a rash of stories in the media reported that exercise is ineffective when it comes to combating depression - following a study carried out by Exeter and Bristol University. Edi tracks down the researchers who wrote the report and discovers that the story was misreported - while the scientists did conclude that counselling people to take up physical activity didn't work, they are still convinced of the benefits of exercise in reducing depression.

Edi Stark explores whether exercise really can work to lighten the mood and why. She meets people who have turned their lives around through exercise; often despite a long history of mental illness and anti-depressant use.

Poor mental health is a growing issue. One in four of us are reported to feel depressed and it's estimated one in ten takes medication for it. Mental illness is costing us big. A Scottish mental health charity puts it at 10.7 billion pounds a year - through unemployment, sick leave and spiralling rates of anti-depressant use.

But is there another way? Can we treat depression without prescribing a pill?

Since 1998 New Zealand's GPs have been prescribing physical activity as an alternative to medication and now, doctors here are following their lead. Increasingly patients suffering with mild to moderate depression are being referred to exercise schemes. It doesn't cause nasty side-effects such as weight gain or mood swings, and it's much cheaper.

But does it work? Recently a rash of stories in the media reported that exercise is ineffective when it comes to combating depression - following a study carried out by Exeter and Bristol University. Edi tracks down the researchers who wrote the report and discovers that the story was misreported - while the scientists did conclude that counselling people to take up physical activity didn't work, they are still convinced of the benefits of exercise in reducing depression.

Edi Stark explores whether exercise really can work to lighten the mood and why. She meets people who have turned their lives around through exercise; often despite a long history of mental illness and anti-depressant use.

Poor mental health is a growing issue. One in four of us are reported to feel depressed and it's estimated one in ten takes medication for it. Mental illness is costing us big. A Scottish mental health charity puts it at 10.7 billion pounds a year - through unemployment, sick leave and spiralling rates of anti-depressant use.

But is there another way? Can we treat depression without prescribing a pill?

Since 1998 New Zealand's GPs have been prescribing physical activity as an alternative to medication and now, doctors here are following their lead. Increasingly patients suffering with mild to moderate depression are being referred to exercise schemes. It doesn't cause nasty side-effects such as weight gain or mood swings, and it's much cheaper.

But does it work? Recently a rash of stories in the media reported that exercise is ineffective when it comes to combating depression - following a study carried out by Exeter and Bristol University. Edi tracks down the researchers who wrote the report and discovers that the story was misreported - while the scientists did conclude that counselling people to take up physical activity didn't work, they are still convinced of the benefits of exercise in reducing depression.

Edi Stark explores whether exercise really can work to lighten the mood and why. She meets people who have turned their lives around through exercise; often despite a long history of mental illness and anti-depressant use.

Sleepless in Scotland

20131027

Sleepless In Scotland

20131027

20140331 (RS)

On the day that the clocks go back and the nation snuggles down to an extra hour in bed, Vic Galloway explores what's stopping one in five Scots from getting a good night's sleep.

Presenting his Radio Scotland music show, often involves late nights at gigs for Vic and he's worried that he may have to pay the health consequences for burning the candle at both ends. During the programme he embarks on a 2 week experiment, monitoring his sleep to discover whether he has a problem and what he ought to do about it. He ponders on how the temptations of our 24-hour society, in particular the internet, can make it difficult to switch off - literally and mentally. Vic meets mother and daughter, Laura and Fiona, who argue constantly about Laura's late nights online; and gaming addict, Scott, who suffers from post traumatic stress and uses the internet as a distraction from sleep and the night terrors it brings.

Colin Espie, Professor of Behavioural Sleep Medicine at Oxford University, reveals that sleep has more impact than was previously thought on both our mental and physical health, with poor sleep now being closely associated with conditions like depression, diabetes and heart disease. Whilst Nicola Morgan, author of the self-help book for teenagers 'Blame My Brain', suggests why it's a good idea to keep your phone or your computer outside the bedroom.

Sleepless in Scotland

20131027

20140331 (RS)

On the day that the clocks go back and the nation snuggles down to an extra hour in bed, Vic Galloway explores what's stopping one in five Scots from getting a good night's sleep.

Presenting his Radio Scotland music show, often involves late nights at gigs for Vic and he's worried that he may have to pay the health consequences for burning the candle at both ends. During the programme he embarks on a 2 week experiment, monitoring his sleep to discover whether he has a problem and what he ought to do about it. He ponders on how the temptations of our 24-hour society, in particular the internet, can make it difficult to switch off - literally and mentally. Vic meets mother and daughter, Laura and Fiona, who argue constantly about Laura's late nights online; and gaming addict, Scott, who suffers from post traumatic stress and uses the internet as a distraction from sleep and the night terrors it brings.

Colin Espie, Professor of Behavioural Sleep Medicine at Oxford University, reveals that sleep has more impact than was previously thought on both our mental and physical health, with poor sleep now being closely associated with conditions like depression, diabetes and heart disease. Whilst Nicola Morgan, author of the self-help book for teenagers 'Blame My Brain', suggests why it's a good idea to keep your phone or your computer outside the bedroom.

09

Gut Reaction

20160101

Each one of us each carries about 3lbs of microbes in and on our bodies - that's trillions of tiny organisms that between them contain 100 times as many genes as our own genomes do.

By far the most important place these microbes make their home is deep within our guts. And in the last ten years, a technological revolution means scientists are now beginning to discover just how crucial these microscopic creatures living within us are to our overall health.

What they're learning has been called one of the biggest developments in medical research in the 21st century. And it could provide opportunities for some startling new treatments.

In this special edition of Medical Matters, Edi Stark puts gut bacteria under the microscope and asks if our bacteria and the food we feed them might be contributing to conditions as diverse as heart disease, asthma, arthritis, autism, depression, multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

From the Glasgow doctor pioneering fecal transplants in patients with otherwise untreatable bowel complaints, to the woman with multiple sclerosis convinced that changing her diet has improved her condition, we hear from the doctors and patients harnessing the power of their own microbes for good.

09

Gut Reaction

20160101

20160102 (RS)

Edi Stark finds out how microbes in the gut are igniting a medical revolution.

Each one of us each carries about 3lbs of microbes in and on our bodies - that's trillions of tiny organisms that between them contain 100 times as many genes as our own genomes do.

By far the most important place these microbes make their home is deep within our guts. And in the last ten years, a technological revolution means scientists are now beginning to discover just how crucial these microscopic creatures living within us are to our overall health.

What they're learning has been called one of the biggest developments in medical research in the 21st century. And it could provide opportunities for some startling new treatments.

In this special edition of Medical Matters, Edi Stark puts gut bacteria under the microscope and asks if our bacteria and the food we feed them might be contributing to conditions as diverse as heart disease, asthma, arthritis, autism, depression, multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

From the Glasgow doctor pioneering fecal transplants in patients with otherwise untreatable bowel complaints, to the woman with multiple sclerosis convinced that changing her diet has improved her condition, we hear from the doctors and patients harnessing the power of their own microbes for good.

12

The Teenage Brain

20130513

Teenage behaviour has always been something of a mystery to parents. Now, as Edi Stark discovers, neuroscience is telling us more than we've ever known about what goes on inside the teenage brain.

Up until recently the focus has largely been on the early years, which are certainly vital in shaping our adult lives. But there's now a growing understanding that our teenage experiences can also be crucial. During puberty we'll make the connections and develop the mindset we'll have as adults. Edi explores what can be done to encourage a positive mindset in our teenagers and challenges some of the cliches around teenage behaviour.

13

Cowan In Colour

20131215

It can stop you having the job you want, impact on relationships and worst of all, make you rubbish at snooker. One in ten men are colour blind, including Tam Cowan.

13

Cowan In Colour

20131215

It can stop you having the job you want, impact on relationships and worst of all, make you rubbish at snooker. One in ten men are colour blind, including Tam Cowan.

05

01

Headaches

20090318

05

01

Headaches

20090318

05

01

Headaches

20090318

20090322 (RS)

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches and how best to deal with them.

05

01

Headaches

20090318

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches, from the mild to the immensely painful, and discusses how best to deal with them.

05

01

Headaches

20090318

2009032220090322 (RS)

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches, from the mild to the immensely painful, and discusses how best to deal with them.

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches and how best to deal with them.

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches, from the mild to the immensely painful, and discusses how best to deal with them.

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches and how best to deal with them.

05

01

Headaches

20090322

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches and how best to deal with them.

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090325

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090325

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090325

Edi Stark looks at the causes and symptoms of panic attacks, talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090325

20090329 (RS)

Edi Stark talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090325

2009032920090329 (RS)

Edi Stark looks at the causes and symptoms of panic attacks, talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

Edi Stark talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

Edi Stark talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

Edi Stark looks at the causes and symptoms of panic attacks, talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090329

Edi Stark talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

Talking to a sociologist, a sex therapist, and various health protection experts, Edi also visits a sexual health clinic and sees what goes on behind the consultant's curtain. She also speaks to a woman who first learned she had contracted a serious sexually transmitted infection aged 67, and learns of the repercussions on her emotionally and sexually, and on her family.

Sexual health messages are nothing new - from poster campaigns to radio adverts, We're bombarded with warnings to protect ourselves. What we don't see though, are these warnings being aimed towards older generations. Last year, the Family Planning Association launched the first campaign geared towards the middle-aged, and it stood out in a sea of posters, pamphlets and literature predominately aged at teens and twenty-somethings. Featuring pictures of people dressed in 1970's clothes, and an image of a condom, it aimed to get older generations to think about protection.

However, when it comes to Scotland, the message hasn't sunk in. According to figures from sexual health reports, Genital Warts almost doubled in this age group from 1999-2008. Herpes and Chlamydia are also on the increase. Although overall numbers remain relatively low compared to younger age groups, it is the level of increase that's concerning. Medical Matters exposes myths, offers advice and most of all uncovers why a Scottish shortfall in confidence, communication and awareness may be causing sexual health in the over forties to detonate.

STIs are on the rise in Scotland among over-45s. What's behind the middle-aged sex bomb?

Talking to a sociologist, a sex therapist, and various health protection experts, Edi also visits a sexual health clinic and sees what goes on behind the consultant's curtain.

She also speaks to a woman who first learned she had contracted a serious sexually transmitted infection aged 67, and learns of the repercussions on her emotionally and sexually, and on her family.

Sexual health messages are nothing new - from poster campaigns to radio adverts, We're bombarded with warnings to protect ourselves.

What we don't see though, are these warnings being aimed towards older generations.

Last year, the Family Planning Association launched the first campaign geared towards the middle-aged, and it stood out in a sea of posters, pamphlets and literature predominately aged at teens and twenty-somethings.

Featuring pictures of people dressed in 1970's clothes, and an image of a condom, it aimed to get older generations to think about protection.

However, when it comes to Scotland, the message hasn't sunk in.

According to figures from sexual health reports, Genital Warts almost doubled in this age group from 1999-2008.

Herpes and Chlamydia are also on the increase.

Although overall numbers remain relatively low compared to younger age groups, it is the level of increase that's concerning.

Medical Matters exposes myths, offers advice and most of all uncovers why a Scottish shortfall in confidence, communication and awareness may be causing sexual health in the over forties to detonate.

STIs are on the rise in Scotland among over-45s.

What's behind the middle-aged sex bomb?

2/4 Medical Matters - Football on the Brain

BBC Programme Number - 10Q08002SS

Football is giving "remarkable" new life to people with dementia, as discovered by a groundbreaking Scottish project.

As with all the best ideas, the simplicity and effectiveness of the approach is so remarkable that it is incredible that nobody stumbled upon it before, and yet it came about during a conversation between a group of Scottish football fans.

Michael White is the Falkirk Football Club historian and sits on the board of a care home.

He'd discovered that old football photos were a "potent trigger" for fans with dementia.

This stimuli opened up discussions about memories of players and games and greatly reduced levels of anger and frustration with those men and women participating in these reminiscence sessions.

He got the Scottish Football Museum involved, they contacted Glasgow Caledonian University, and pretty soon the international medical community was aware of the discovery.

The results have been so rewarding that the idea is being exported to Canada, with ice hockey providing the key to communication.

Professor Debbie Tolson is the director of the university's Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People.

She embarked on an evaluation to see if this approach genuinely worked.

Her results were impressive and she describes this kind of reminiscence work as something that could "make a big impact".

There are nearly 25 million people with dementia across the world, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases each year.

This programme follows the Centre's progress and evaluates the impact on the lives of those they're working with.

Scottish football is giving 'remarkable' new life to people with dementia.

07

03

20110126

Series investigating matters of health and wellbeing.

07

03

20110126

Series investigating matters of health and wellbeing.

07

04

Football On The Brain

20110202

07

04

Football On The Brain

20110202

3/4

Football is giving "remarkable" new life to people with dementia, as discovered by a groundbreaking Scottish project. As with all the best ideas, the simplicity and effectiveness of the approach is so remarkable that it is incredible that nobody stumbled upon it before, and yet it came about during a conversation between a group of Scottish football fans. Michael White is the Falkirk Football Club historian and sits on the board of a care home. He'd discovered that old football photos were a "potent trigger" for fans with dementia. This stimuli opened up discussions about memories of players and games and greatly reduced levels of anger and frustration with those men and women participating in these reminiscence sessions.

He got the Scottish Football Museum involved, they contacted Glasgow Caledonian University, and pretty soon the international medical community was aware of the discovery. The results have been so rewarding that the idea is being exported to Canada, with ice hockey providing the key to communication.

Professor Debbie Tolson is the director of the university's Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People. She embarked on an evaluation to see if this approach genuinely worked. Her results were impressive and she describes this kind of reminiscence work as something that could "make a big impact". There are nearly 25 million people with dementia across the world, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases each year. This programme follows the Centre's progress and evaluates the impact on the lives of those they're working with.

07

04

Football On The Brain

20110202

20110206

3/4

Football is giving "remarkable" new life to people with dementia, as discovered by a groundbreaking Scottish project. As with all the best ideas, the simplicity and effectiveness of the approach is so remarkable that it is incredible that nobody stumbled upon it before, and yet it came about during a conversation between a group of Scottish football fans. Michael White is the Falkirk Football Club historian and sits on the board of a care home. He'd discovered that old football photos were a "potent trigger" for fans with dementia. This stimuli opened up discussions about memories of players and games and greatly reduced levels of anger and frustration with those men and women participating in these reminiscence sessions.

He got the Scottish Football Museum involved, they contacted Glasgow Caledonian University, and pretty soon the international medical community was aware of the discovery. The results have been so rewarding that the idea is being exported to Canada, with ice hockey providing the key to communication.

Professor Debbie Tolson is the director of the university's Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People. She embarked on an evaluation to see if this approach genuinely worked. Her results were impressive and she describes this kind of reminiscence work as something that could "make a big impact". There are nearly 25 million people with dementia across the world, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases each year. This programme follows the Centre's progress and evaluates the impact on the lives of those they're working with.

Scottish football is giving 'remarkable' new life to people with dementia.

07

04

Football On The Brain

20110202

2011020620110206 (RS)

Scottish football is giving 'remarkable' new life to people with dementia.

3/4

Football is giving "remarkable" new life to people with dementia, as discovered by a groundbreaking Scottish project.

As with all the best ideas, the simplicity and effectiveness of the approach is so remarkable that it is incredible that nobody stumbled upon it before, and yet it came about during a conversation between a group of Scottish football fans.

Michael White is the Falkirk Football Club historian and sits on the board of a care home.

He'd discovered that old football photos were a "potent trigger" for fans with dementia.

This stimuli opened up discussions about memories of players and games and greatly reduced levels of anger and frustration with those men and women participating in these reminiscence sessions.

He got the Scottish Football Museum involved, they contacted Glasgow Caledonian University, and pretty soon the international medical community was aware of the discovery.

The results have been so rewarding that the idea is being exported to Canada, with ice hockey providing the key to communication.

Professor Debbie Tolson is the director of the university's Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People.

She embarked on an evaluation to see if this approach genuinely worked.

Her results were impressive and she describes this kind of reminiscence work as something that could "make a big impact".

There are nearly 25 million people with dementia across the world, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases each year.

This programme follows the Centre's progress and evaluates the impact on the lives of those they're working with.

Scottish football is giving 'remarkable' new life to people with dementia.

3/4

Football is giving "remarkable" new life to people with dementia, as discovered by a groundbreaking Scottish project. As with all the best ideas, the simplicity and effectiveness of the approach is so remarkable that it is incredible that nobody stumbled upon it before, and yet it came about during a conversation between a group of Scottish football fans. Michael White is the Falkirk Football Club historian and sits on the board of a care home. He'd discovered that old football photos were a "potent trigger" for fans with dementia. This stimuli opened up discussions about memories of players and games and greatly reduced levels of anger and frustration with those men and women participating in these reminiscence sessions.

He got the Scottish Football Museum involved, they contacted Glasgow Caledonian University, and pretty soon the international medical community was aware of the discovery. The results have been so rewarding that the idea is being exported to Canada, with ice hockey providing the key to communication.

Professor Debbie Tolson is the director of the university's Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People. She embarked on an evaluation to see if this approach genuinely worked. Her results were impressive and she describes this kind of reminiscence work as something that could "make a big impact". There are nearly 25 million people with dementia across the world, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases each year. This programme follows the Centre's progress and evaluates the impact on the lives of those they're working with.

07

05

20110209

20110213

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular.

Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause.

But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

Series investigating matters of health and wellbeing.

07

05

20110209

20110213

Series investigating matters of health and wellbeing.

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20120305

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

The peri-menopause? Never heard of it? Alison Craig reveals all.

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20120310

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20120312

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

The peri-menopause? Never heard of it? Alison Craig reveals all.

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20110209

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20110209

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20110209

2012031220110213 (RS)20130113 (RS)

? Never heard of it? Alison Craig reveals all.

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

The peri-menopause? Never heard of it? Alison Craig reveals all.

? Never heard of it? Alison Craig reveals all.

08

Chronic Kids

20120317

2/4.

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

08

Chronic Kids

20120312

20120319

2/4.

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

More than 750 people in Scotland are waiting for an organ which could save their life. Across the UK three people die every day on the waiting list.

Research suggests people feel conflicted over donation. Over 90 per cent of people support it, and yet only 30 per cent of the population have signed up to the donor register.

Denise confronts the issues and asks if more can be done to increase transplants. 4/4.

Medical Matters explores why more people don't donate their organs.

4/4

Research suggests people are conflicted over donation. While over 90 per cent of people support it, only 30 per cent of the population have signed up to the donor register.

Denise confronts the issues and asks what more can be done to increase transplants.

08

Sport Of Hard Knocks

20120324

3/4

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

John Beattie asks whether his brain could have long term damage from his rugby career.

08

Sport Of Hard Knocks

20120319

20120326

3/4

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

John Beattie asks whether his brain could have long term damage from his rugby career.

08

01

Chronic Kids

20120312

2012061320120613 (RS)

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

08

01

Chronic Kids

20120312

20120616

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

08

01

Chronic Kids

20120312

20120617

08

02

Chronic Kids

20120312

2012031720120319 (RS)

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

2/4.

08

02

Sport Of Hard Knocks

20120319

2012060220120602 (RS)20121226 (RS)

2/2

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain for some people? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

2/2

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain for some people? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain for some people? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

Almost 800 people in Scotland are waiting for an organ which could save their life. Across the UK three people die every day on the waiting list.

Research suggests people are feel conflicted over donation. While over 90 per cent of people support it, only 30 per cent of the population have signed up to the donor register.

It was the death of her friend, the writer Frank Deasy in 2009, that convinced Denise to sign up to the register. He had been waiting for a liver transplant for seven months when he died.

In 'Life After Death' Denise goes on a personal journey to confront the issues and ask what more can be down to convince people to donate their organs and those of their family members.

08

03

Life After Death

20120326

20120623

08

03

Life After Death

20120326

20120624

08

03

Sport Of Hard Knocks

20120319

2012032620120324 (RS)

3/4

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

John Beattie asks whether his brain could have long term damage from his rugby career.

MRSA outbreaks are still making the headlines in Scotland, despite the Scottish Executive's task force on healthcare acquired infections.

Cathy MacDonald looks back at the work of the task force.

206A

05

20060208

20060209

Documentary investigating the use of new experimental treatments to treat illness and disability.

Cathy MacDonald looks at the harm caused by passive smoking.

206A

06

20060215

6/8.

Documentary investigating the use of new experimental treatments to treat illness and disability.

Cathy MacDonald looks at the basic skills of mental health first aid.

206A

07

20060222

Documentary investigating the use of new experimental treatments to treat illness and disability.

Cathy MacDonald talks to people about their recovery from depression.

206A

08 LAST

20060301

20060302

The NHS in Scotland is to start employing people who have recovered from mental illness to help those in the same boat.

Cathy MacDonald looks at this unique development in mental health services.

206C

01

20060705

20060706

Cathy MacDonald looks at the benefits of hyperbaric chambers, which can treat an impressive list of ailments.

Programme examining treatments and issues in Scottish medicine.

206C

02

20060712

20060713

Like a well oiled engine, our bodies will only perform at their best if they're fuelled properly.

Cathy MacDonald takes a critical look at our diet to reveal what we should be eating and when, whether we're sitting exams, running a 10K, or simply want to avoid that post-lunch early afternoon slump.

206C

03

20060719

20060720

Cathy MacDonald looks at whether the elderly are bearing the brunt of a shortage of resources in the NHS and how simple projects could transform their experience in hospital.

206C

04

20060726

20060727

206C

05

20060802

20060803

Cathy MacDonald heads off to the country to find one of our most dangerous parasites, hopefully before it finds her - Lyme disease which spreads by sheep ticks.

206C

06

20060809

20060810

We thought we'd wiped out diseases rife in the 19th century such as scarlet fever and rickets.

So why are they making a comeback in Scotland in the 21st century? Cathy MacDonald finds out why we've failed to eradicate them, and how modern medicine can best protect us.

206C

07

20060816

20060817

Cathy MacDonald looks at the revolution going on in cancer care, including a new treatment pioneered in Scotland.

206C

08

20060823

20060824

8/9.

How can you get the best from the NHS? From minor ailments to life-threatening disease, Cathy MacDonald explores the latest developments in medicine from across Scotland.

206C

09

20060830

20060831

9/11.

How can you get the best from the NHS? From minor ailments to life-threatening disease, Cathy MacDonald explores the latest developments in medicine from across Scotland.

206C

10

20060906

20060907

Catch some good Zzzzs last night? If so, you're lucky.

Many of us just don't get enough sleep, and conditions such as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnoea are common.

Cathy Macdonald investigates the troubled world of sleep, and the treatments available.

206C

11 LAST

20060913

20060914

Cathy MacDonald investigates the use of new experimental treatments to treat illness and disability.

This edition looks at the condition of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

207A

01

Nhs 24

20070103

20070104

Cathy MacDonald listens in on a night of NHS 24 calls and asks if enough has been done to rebuild patients shattered confidence in medical help at the end of the phone?

207A

02

Knives

20070110

20070111

Scotland's knife problem is now seen as a major threat to public health.

Cathy MacDonald looks at how doctors and police are joining forces to try and combat it.

207A

03

20070117

20070118

Cathy MacDonald investigates the pros and cons of the latest generation of biologic drugs aimed at combating the skin condition, Psoriasis.

207A

04

20070124

20070125

First it was saturated fats, then it was cholesterol, now transfats are the latest nutritional bogeyman.

What are they and why are they so bad for us? Cathy MacDonald fills her shopping basket to discover just how much transfat we unknowingly consume.

She'll also ask the question: if they're effectively banned in some countries why don't we even have them labelled on our food?

207A

05

20070131

20070201

207A

06

20070207

20070208

Have you ever missed the last couple of tablets in a course of antibiotics? Did you keep up the physiotherapy after that break or sprain? If your answers are no then you're not alone.

Half of us fail to complete treatments given to us by our doctors.

Cathy MacDonald investigates why our compliance with treatment is often so poor and looks at the ways it might be improved.

207A

07 LAST

20070214

20070215

207B

01

Me - 1

20070627

20070628

As part of a special double feature, Medical Matters explores one of the most misunderstood and controversial of diseases, ME.

Cathy MacDonald reveals the cutting edge research aimed at finding a cure for ME.

She explores the widespread misconceptions about it and some of the alternative therapies which have proved helpful for some sufferers.

207B

02

20070704

20070705

In a special primetime edition, Cathy MacDonald discovers why the menopause can be a source of liberation and celebration.

For generations of women it was a taboo subject but now, with 50 being the new 40, women are in their prime.

207B

03

20070711

20070712

How much do we know about what's in the food we eat? Cathy McDonald examines what colourings and preservatives are to be found in even the most innocuous of foods, and whether we should avoid them.

207B

04

20070718

20070719

With statistics revealing a serious increase in alcohol related liver disease in Scotland, Cathy MacDonald explores what's causing this increase and what can be done about it.

207B

05

20070725

20070726

Cathy MacDonald speaks to people who suffer from Crohn's Disease, a debilitating condition which is on the increase in Scotland.

She hears about recent advances in research into the causes of the illness, and how successful treatments can make it possible to live a relatively normal life.

207B

06

20070801

20070802

207B

07

20070808

20070809

Cathy MacDonald reveals how a pioneering Scottish research project aims to help end insomniacs' restless nights.

207B

08

20070815

20070816

Cathy MacDonald discovers the challenges of providing people with palliative care.

207B

09 LAST

20070822

20070823

Rod Stewart and Michael Douglas have both fathered children later in life, but could men have reason to fear the ticking of their biological clock? With Cathy MacDonald.

208A

01

20080102

20080103

As the party dresses go back in the wardrobe Cathy MacDonald explores what health risks we're prepared to run for the sake of fashion.

From those killer heels to the trend for bigger and bigger tattoos, is looking good always worth it?

208A

02

20080109

20080110

While doctors fear that type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions, much less publicised has been the quadrupling of patients being diagnosed with type 1.

Even more worrying is that the biggest increase has been in children under five.

Cathy MacDonald investigates why we're witnessing such an explosion in both diseases and whether there might be a common cause.

208A

03

Snoring

20080116

20080117

No one wants to admit to it and fewer still do anything about it.

But for a condition that can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, relationship problems and potentially affect the health of anyone within earshot, it's anything but trivial.

Ignoring it can also mean that more serious health problems go untreated.

Cathy MacDonald pulls back the covers on one of Scotland's most undertreated health problems to find out if we're too embarrassed to get a good night's sleep.

208A

04

20080123

20080124

Surveys show that 80% of addicts want to kick their self destructive habit.

The problem is addiction services in Scotland are geared towards reducing the harm from drugs rather than helping people off them.

But this is about to change with the piloting of new abstinence services.

Cathy MacDonald goes inside one of these new centres to find out that what they offer is a long, hard road of self discovery, hopefully leading to a life without the need for drugs.

208A

05

20080130

20080131

Cathy MacDonald presents the second of two programmes following the latest developments in treating addictions.

She tracks the progress of two patients after their completion of Scotland's first drug abstinence programme as they begin to put their lives back together.

208A

06

20080206

20080207

2007 saw one of the highest annual figures of new HIV infections in Scotland for 20 years.

Presenter Cathy MacDonald finds out how the route to infection has changed over the last two decades, and how Scotland is fighting it.

208A

07

20080213

20080214

You can't feel it and you certainly can't hear it but ultrasound encourages damaged tissues to heal, destroys tumours and even blasts kidney stones apart.

Yet it also allows us to look inside our bodies to see unborn babies.

Cathy MacDonald finds out how this Scottish invention, originally used to detect flaws in tank armour, has become essential in almost every branch of medicine.

208A

08 LAST

20080220

20080221

208C

01

20080910

Writer Donna Franceschild draws on her own recent experiences of mental illness to investigate the unregulated world of internet support sites.

208C

02

20080917

While the treatment of stroke has made huge progress, in many cases it still isn't being treated as a medical emergency.

Pennie Taylor looks at how this is all about to change.

208C

03 LAST

20080924

It used to be that almost all operations meant an extended stay in hospital, but with new techniques being developed all the time these stays are getting shorter and shorter.

The result is that you get home sooner, hospital efficiency goes up and waiting lists come down.

But is this shift to short stay and one-day surgeries the win everyone thinks?

Sally Magnusson asks: if you're caring for someone with dementia, who looks after you?

Sally Magnusson asks: if you're caring for someone with dementia, who looks after you?

As someone who's cared for a parent with dementia, Sally Magnusson is concerned that there isn't enough support for carers. In this Medical Matters, she reveals that 3 out of 4 carers feel their health has suffered as a result, and asks carers what help they need to carry on caring for their loved ones.

Sally Magnusson asks: if you're caring for someone with dementia, who looks after you?

As someone who's cared for a parent with dementia, Sally Magnusson is concerned that there isn't enough support for carers. In this Medical Matters, she reveals that 3 out of 4 carers feel their health has suffered as a result, and asks carers what help they need to carry on caring for their loved ones.

As someone who's cared for a parent with dementia, Sally Magnusson is concerned that there isn't enough support for carers looking after their relatives at home. In this Medical Matters, Sally talks to carers of people with dementia, including campaigner Tommy Whitelaw, who toured Scotland raising awareness of how dementia affects sufferers and their carers, by asking carers to write letters telling their stories that he presents to the Scottish Government. Though caring for a loved one is often a privilege, Sally discusses what makes it such a challenging and traumatic experience, and asks what we can all do to ease the strain on carers.

Cowan in Colour

20131215

Cowan In Colour

20131215

20140505 (RS)

It can stop you having the job you want, impact on relationships and worst of all, make you rubbish at snooker. One in ten men are colour blind, including Tam Cowan.

Cowan In Colour

20131215

20140505 (RS)20140712 (RS)

It can stop you having the job you want, impact on relationships and worst of all, make you rubbish at snooker. One in ten men are colour blind, including Tam Cowan.

Cowan in Colour

20131215

20140712 (RS)

It can stop you having the job you want, impact on relationships and worst of all, make you rubbish at snooker. One in ten men are colour blind, including Tam Cowan.

Hidden Pain

20160914

Hidden Pain

20160914

Edi Stark explores the issues and myths surrounding self-harm in young people.

The number of children admitted to hospital for self-harm has doubled in parts of Scotland over a five-year period, according to a number of charities.

Self-injury can be many things that people do to themselves in a deliberate and often hidden way like; cutting, burning, overdosing, scratching, biting, hair pulling and breaking bones. It is generally a response to profound and overwhelming emotional pain that hasn't been resolved and a way of coping and managing these feelings.

Edi Stark meets former self-harmers to explore some of the myths surrounding the behaviour and talks to parents who have struggled to understand. She also meets experts who can offer advice on how to how to detect the signs and offer support.

Last year, 563 under-18s were admitted for self-harm in Scotland. We know this is only the tip of the iceberg as many people never seek medical attention. Self-harm is a taboo subject and sometimes people think they are the only ones doing it. But research shows that it is very common. In the UK at least one in every 15 young people has experience of self-injury. That is two young people in every classroom. While research indicates that a much higher percentage of females self-harm than males, experts have cautioned against viewing this as a "female" problem as young males often engage in different forms of self-harm.

Hidden Pain

20160914

20160918 (RS)

Edi Stark explores the issues surrounding self-harm in young people.

Edi Stark explores the issues and myths surrounding self-harm in young people.

The number of children admitted to hospital for self-harm has doubled in parts of Scotland over a five-year period, according to a number of charities.

Self-injury can be many things that people do to themselves in a deliberate and often hidden way like; cutting, burning, overdosing, scratching, biting, hair pulling and breaking bones. It is generally a response to profound and overwhelming emotional pain that hasn't been resolved and a way of coping and managing these feelings.

Edi Stark meets former self-harmers to explore some of the myths surrounding the behaviour and talks to parents who have struggled to understand. She also meets experts who can offer advice on how to how to detect the signs and offer support.

Last year, 563 under-18s were admitted for self-harm in Scotland. We know this is only the tip of the iceberg as many people never seek medical attention. Self-harm is a taboo subject and sometimes people think they are the only ones doing it. But research shows that it is very common. In the UK at least one in every 15 young people has experience of self-injury. That is two young people in every classroom. While research indicates that a much higher percentage of females self-harm than males, experts have cautioned against viewing this as a "female" problem as young males often engage in different forms of self-harm.

Poor mental health is a growing issue. One in four of us are reported to feel depressed and it's estimated one in ten takes medication for it. Mental illness is costing us big. A Scottish mental health charity puts it at 10.7 billion pounds a year - through unemployment, sick leave and spiralling rates of anti-depressant use.

But is there another way? Can we treat depression without prescribing a pill?

Since 1998 New Zealand's GPs have been prescribing physical activity as an alternative to medication and now, doctors here are following their lead. Increasingly patients suffering with mild to moderate depression are being referred to exercise schemes. It doesn't cause nasty side-effects such as weight gain or mood swings, and it's much cheaper.

But does it work? Recently a rash of stories in the media reported that exercise is ineffective when it comes to combating depression - following a study carried out by Exeter and Bristol University. Edi tracks down the researchers who wrote the report and discovers that the story was misreported - while the scientists did conclude that counselling people to take up physical activity didn't work, they are still convinced of the benefits of exercise in reducing depression.

Edi Stark explores whether exercise really can work to lighten the mood and why. She meets people who have turned their lives around through exercise; often despite a long history of mental illness and anti-depressant use.

Poor mental health is a growing issue. One in four of us are reported to feel depressed and it's estimated one in ten takes medication for it. Mental illness is costing us big. A Scottish mental health charity puts it at 10.7 billion pounds a year - through unemployment, sick leave and spiralling rates of anti-depressant use.

But is there another way? Can we treat depression without prescribing a pill?

Since 1998 New Zealand's GPs have been prescribing physical activity as an alternative to medication and now, doctors here are following their lead. Increasingly patients suffering with mild to moderate depression are being referred to exercise schemes. It doesn't cause nasty side-effects such as weight gain or mood swings, and it's much cheaper.

But does it work? Recently a rash of stories in the media reported that exercise is ineffective when it comes to combating depression - following a study carried out by Exeter and Bristol University. Edi tracks down the researchers who wrote the report and discovers that the story was misreported - while the scientists did conclude that counselling people to take up physical activity didn't work, they are still convinced of the benefits of exercise in reducing depression.

Edi Stark explores whether exercise really can work to lighten the mood and why. She meets people who have turned their lives around through exercise; often despite a long history of mental illness and anti-depressant use.

Poor mental health is a growing issue. One in four of us are reported to feel depressed and it's estimated one in ten takes medication for it. Mental illness is costing us big. A Scottish mental health charity puts it at 10.7 billion pounds a year - through unemployment, sick leave and spiralling rates of anti-depressant use.

But is there another way? Can we treat depression without prescribing a pill?

Since 1998 New Zealand's GPs have been prescribing physical activity as an alternative to medication and now, doctors here are following their lead. Increasingly patients suffering with mild to moderate depression are being referred to exercise schemes. It doesn't cause nasty side-effects such as weight gain or mood swings, and it's much cheaper.

But does it work? Recently a rash of stories in the media reported that exercise is ineffective when it comes to combating depression - following a study carried out by Exeter and Bristol University. Edi tracks down the researchers who wrote the report and discovers that the story was misreported - while the scientists did conclude that counselling people to take up physical activity didn't work, they are still convinced of the benefits of exercise in reducing depression.

Edi Stark explores whether exercise really can work to lighten the mood and why. She meets people who have turned their lives around through exercise; often despite a long history of mental illness and anti-depressant use.

Sleepless in Scotland

20131027

Sleepless In Scotland

20131027

20140331 (RS)

On the day that the clocks go back and the nation snuggles down to an extra hour in bed, Vic Galloway explores what's stopping one in five Scots from getting a good night's sleep.

Presenting his Radio Scotland music show, often involves late nights at gigs for Vic and he's worried that he may have to pay the health consequences for burning the candle at both ends. During the programme he embarks on a 2 week experiment, monitoring his sleep to discover whether he has a problem and what he ought to do about it. He ponders on how the temptations of our 24-hour society, in particular the internet, can make it difficult to switch off - literally and mentally. Vic meets mother and daughter, Laura and Fiona, who argue constantly about Laura's late nights online; and gaming addict, Scott, who suffers from post traumatic stress and uses the internet as a distraction from sleep and the night terrors it brings.

Colin Espie, Professor of Behavioural Sleep Medicine at Oxford University, reveals that sleep has more impact than was previously thought on both our mental and physical health, with poor sleep now being closely associated with conditions like depression, diabetes and heart disease. Whilst Nicola Morgan, author of the self-help book for teenagers 'Blame My Brain', suggests why it's a good idea to keep your phone or your computer outside the bedroom.

Sleepless in Scotland

20131027

20140331 (RS)

On the day that the clocks go back and the nation snuggles down to an extra hour in bed, Vic Galloway explores what's stopping one in five Scots from getting a good night's sleep.

Presenting his Radio Scotland music show, often involves late nights at gigs for Vic and he's worried that he may have to pay the health consequences for burning the candle at both ends. During the programme he embarks on a 2 week experiment, monitoring his sleep to discover whether he has a problem and what he ought to do about it. He ponders on how the temptations of our 24-hour society, in particular the internet, can make it difficult to switch off - literally and mentally. Vic meets mother and daughter, Laura and Fiona, who argue constantly about Laura's late nights online; and gaming addict, Scott, who suffers from post traumatic stress and uses the internet as a distraction from sleep and the night terrors it brings.

Colin Espie, Professor of Behavioural Sleep Medicine at Oxford University, reveals that sleep has more impact than was previously thought on both our mental and physical health, with poor sleep now being closely associated with conditions like depression, diabetes and heart disease. Whilst Nicola Morgan, author of the self-help book for teenagers 'Blame My Brain', suggests why it's a good idea to keep your phone or your computer outside the bedroom.

09

Gut Reaction

20160101

Each one of us each carries about 3lbs of microbes in and on our bodies - that's trillions of tiny organisms that between them contain 100 times as many genes as our own genomes do.

By far the most important place these microbes make their home is deep within our guts. And in the last ten years, a technological revolution means scientists are now beginning to discover just how crucial these microscopic creatures living within us are to our overall health.

What they're learning has been called one of the biggest developments in medical research in the 21st century. And it could provide opportunities for some startling new treatments.

In this special edition of Medical Matters, Edi Stark puts gut bacteria under the microscope and asks if our bacteria and the food we feed them might be contributing to conditions as diverse as heart disease, asthma, arthritis, autism, depression, multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

From the Glasgow doctor pioneering fecal transplants in patients with otherwise untreatable bowel complaints, to the woman with multiple sclerosis convinced that changing her diet has improved her condition, we hear from the doctors and patients harnessing the power of their own microbes for good.

09

Gut Reaction

20160101

20160102 (RS)

Edi Stark finds out how microbes in the gut are igniting a medical revolution.

Each one of us each carries about 3lbs of microbes in and on our bodies - that's trillions of tiny organisms that between them contain 100 times as many genes as our own genomes do.

By far the most important place these microbes make their home is deep within our guts. And in the last ten years, a technological revolution means scientists are now beginning to discover just how crucial these microscopic creatures living within us are to our overall health.

What they're learning has been called one of the biggest developments in medical research in the 21st century. And it could provide opportunities for some startling new treatments.

In this special edition of Medical Matters, Edi Stark puts gut bacteria under the microscope and asks if our bacteria and the food we feed them might be contributing to conditions as diverse as heart disease, asthma, arthritis, autism, depression, multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

From the Glasgow doctor pioneering fecal transplants in patients with otherwise untreatable bowel complaints, to the woman with multiple sclerosis convinced that changing her diet has improved her condition, we hear from the doctors and patients harnessing the power of their own microbes for good.

12

The Teenage Brain

20130513

Teenage behaviour has always been something of a mystery to parents. Now, as Edi Stark discovers, neuroscience is telling us more than we've ever known about what goes on inside the teenage brain.

Up until recently the focus has largely been on the early years, which are certainly vital in shaping our adult lives. But there's now a growing understanding that our teenage experiences can also be crucial. During puberty we'll make the connections and develop the mindset we'll have as adults. Edi explores what can be done to encourage a positive mindset in our teenagers and challenges some of the cliches around teenage behaviour.

13

Cowan In Colour

20131215

It can stop you having the job you want, impact on relationships and worst of all, make you rubbish at snooker. One in ten men are colour blind, including Tam Cowan.

13

Cowan In Colour

20131215

It can stop you having the job you want, impact on relationships and worst of all, make you rubbish at snooker. One in ten men are colour blind, including Tam Cowan.

05

01

Headaches

20090318

05

01

Headaches

20090318

05

01

Headaches

20090318

20090322 (RS)

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches and how best to deal with them.

05

01

Headaches

20090318

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches, from the mild to the immensely painful, and discusses how best to deal with them.

05

01

Headaches

20090318

2009032220090322 (RS)

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches, from the mild to the immensely painful, and discusses how best to deal with them.

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches and how best to deal with them.

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches, from the mild to the immensely painful, and discusses how best to deal with them.

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches and how best to deal with them.

05

01

Headaches

20090322

Cathy MacDonald looks at the full spectrum of headaches and how best to deal with them.

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090325

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090325

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090325

Edi Stark looks at the causes and symptoms of panic attacks, talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090325

20090329 (RS)

Edi Stark talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090325

2009032920090329 (RS)

Edi Stark looks at the causes and symptoms of panic attacks, talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

Edi Stark talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

Edi Stark talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

Edi Stark looks at the causes and symptoms of panic attacks, talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

05

02

Panic Attacks

20090329

Edi Stark talks to sufferers and discusses how best to manage the condition.

Talking to a sociologist, a sex therapist, and various health protection experts, Edi also visits a sexual health clinic and sees what goes on behind the consultant's curtain. She also speaks to a woman who first learned she had contracted a serious sexually transmitted infection aged 67, and learns of the repercussions on her emotionally and sexually, and on her family.

Sexual health messages are nothing new - from poster campaigns to radio adverts, We're bombarded with warnings to protect ourselves. What we don't see though, are these warnings being aimed towards older generations. Last year, the Family Planning Association launched the first campaign geared towards the middle-aged, and it stood out in a sea of posters, pamphlets and literature predominately aged at teens and twenty-somethings. Featuring pictures of people dressed in 1970's clothes, and an image of a condom, it aimed to get older generations to think about protection.

However, when it comes to Scotland, the message hasn't sunk in. According to figures from sexual health reports, Genital Warts almost doubled in this age group from 1999-2008. Herpes and Chlamydia are also on the increase. Although overall numbers remain relatively low compared to younger age groups, it is the level of increase that's concerning. Medical Matters exposes myths, offers advice and most of all uncovers why a Scottish shortfall in confidence, communication and awareness may be causing sexual health in the over forties to detonate.

STIs are on the rise in Scotland among over-45s. What's behind the middle-aged sex bomb?

Talking to a sociologist, a sex therapist, and various health protection experts, Edi also visits a sexual health clinic and sees what goes on behind the consultant's curtain.

She also speaks to a woman who first learned she had contracted a serious sexually transmitted infection aged 67, and learns of the repercussions on her emotionally and sexually, and on her family.

Sexual health messages are nothing new - from poster campaigns to radio adverts, We're bombarded with warnings to protect ourselves.

What we don't see though, are these warnings being aimed towards older generations.

Last year, the Family Planning Association launched the first campaign geared towards the middle-aged, and it stood out in a sea of posters, pamphlets and literature predominately aged at teens and twenty-somethings.

Featuring pictures of people dressed in 1970's clothes, and an image of a condom, it aimed to get older generations to think about protection.

However, when it comes to Scotland, the message hasn't sunk in.

According to figures from sexual health reports, Genital Warts almost doubled in this age group from 1999-2008.

Herpes and Chlamydia are also on the increase.

Although overall numbers remain relatively low compared to younger age groups, it is the level of increase that's concerning.

Medical Matters exposes myths, offers advice and most of all uncovers why a Scottish shortfall in confidence, communication and awareness may be causing sexual health in the over forties to detonate.

STIs are on the rise in Scotland among over-45s.

What's behind the middle-aged sex bomb?

2/4 Medical Matters - Football on the Brain

BBC Programme Number - 10Q08002SS

Football is giving "remarkable" new life to people with dementia, as discovered by a groundbreaking Scottish project.

As with all the best ideas, the simplicity and effectiveness of the approach is so remarkable that it is incredible that nobody stumbled upon it before, and yet it came about during a conversation between a group of Scottish football fans.

Michael White is the Falkirk Football Club historian and sits on the board of a care home.

He'd discovered that old football photos were a "potent trigger" for fans with dementia.

This stimuli opened up discussions about memories of players and games and greatly reduced levels of anger and frustration with those men and women participating in these reminiscence sessions.

He got the Scottish Football Museum involved, they contacted Glasgow Caledonian University, and pretty soon the international medical community was aware of the discovery.

The results have been so rewarding that the idea is being exported to Canada, with ice hockey providing the key to communication.

Professor Debbie Tolson is the director of the university's Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People.

She embarked on an evaluation to see if this approach genuinely worked.

Her results were impressive and she describes this kind of reminiscence work as something that could "make a big impact".

There are nearly 25 million people with dementia across the world, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases each year.

This programme follows the Centre's progress and evaluates the impact on the lives of those they're working with.

Scottish football is giving 'remarkable' new life to people with dementia.

07

03

20110126

Series investigating matters of health and wellbeing.

07

03

20110126

Series investigating matters of health and wellbeing.

07

04

Football On The Brain

20110202

07

04

Football On The Brain

20110202

3/4

Football is giving "remarkable" new life to people with dementia, as discovered by a groundbreaking Scottish project. As with all the best ideas, the simplicity and effectiveness of the approach is so remarkable that it is incredible that nobody stumbled upon it before, and yet it came about during a conversation between a group of Scottish football fans. Michael White is the Falkirk Football Club historian and sits on the board of a care home. He'd discovered that old football photos were a "potent trigger" for fans with dementia. This stimuli opened up discussions about memories of players and games and greatly reduced levels of anger and frustration with those men and women participating in these reminiscence sessions.

He got the Scottish Football Museum involved, they contacted Glasgow Caledonian University, and pretty soon the international medical community was aware of the discovery. The results have been so rewarding that the idea is being exported to Canada, with ice hockey providing the key to communication.

Professor Debbie Tolson is the director of the university's Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People. She embarked on an evaluation to see if this approach genuinely worked. Her results were impressive and she describes this kind of reminiscence work as something that could "make a big impact". There are nearly 25 million people with dementia across the world, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases each year. This programme follows the Centre's progress and evaluates the impact on the lives of those they're working with.

07

04

Football On The Brain

20110202

20110206

3/4

Football is giving "remarkable" new life to people with dementia, as discovered by a groundbreaking Scottish project. As with all the best ideas, the simplicity and effectiveness of the approach is so remarkable that it is incredible that nobody stumbled upon it before, and yet it came about during a conversation between a group of Scottish football fans. Michael White is the Falkirk Football Club historian and sits on the board of a care home. He'd discovered that old football photos were a "potent trigger" for fans with dementia. This stimuli opened up discussions about memories of players and games and greatly reduced levels of anger and frustration with those men and women participating in these reminiscence sessions.

He got the Scottish Football Museum involved, they contacted Glasgow Caledonian University, and pretty soon the international medical community was aware of the discovery. The results have been so rewarding that the idea is being exported to Canada, with ice hockey providing the key to communication.

Professor Debbie Tolson is the director of the university's Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People. She embarked on an evaluation to see if this approach genuinely worked. Her results were impressive and she describes this kind of reminiscence work as something that could "make a big impact". There are nearly 25 million people with dementia across the world, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases each year. This programme follows the Centre's progress and evaluates the impact on the lives of those they're working with.

Scottish football is giving 'remarkable' new life to people with dementia.

07

04

Football On The Brain

20110202

2011020620110206 (RS)

Scottish football is giving 'remarkable' new life to people with dementia.

3/4

Football is giving "remarkable" new life to people with dementia, as discovered by a groundbreaking Scottish project.

As with all the best ideas, the simplicity and effectiveness of the approach is so remarkable that it is incredible that nobody stumbled upon it before, and yet it came about during a conversation between a group of Scottish football fans.

Michael White is the Falkirk Football Club historian and sits on the board of a care home.

He'd discovered that old football photos were a "potent trigger" for fans with dementia.

This stimuli opened up discussions about memories of players and games and greatly reduced levels of anger and frustration with those men and women participating in these reminiscence sessions.

He got the Scottish Football Museum involved, they contacted Glasgow Caledonian University, and pretty soon the international medical community was aware of the discovery.

The results have been so rewarding that the idea is being exported to Canada, with ice hockey providing the key to communication.

Professor Debbie Tolson is the director of the university's Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People.

She embarked on an evaluation to see if this approach genuinely worked.

Her results were impressive and she describes this kind of reminiscence work as something that could "make a big impact".

There are nearly 25 million people with dementia across the world, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases each year.

This programme follows the Centre's progress and evaluates the impact on the lives of those they're working with.

Scottish football is giving 'remarkable' new life to people with dementia.

3/4

Football is giving "remarkable" new life to people with dementia, as discovered by a groundbreaking Scottish project. As with all the best ideas, the simplicity and effectiveness of the approach is so remarkable that it is incredible that nobody stumbled upon it before, and yet it came about during a conversation between a group of Scottish football fans. Michael White is the Falkirk Football Club historian and sits on the board of a care home. He'd discovered that old football photos were a "potent trigger" for fans with dementia. This stimuli opened up discussions about memories of players and games and greatly reduced levels of anger and frustration with those men and women participating in these reminiscence sessions.

He got the Scottish Football Museum involved, they contacted Glasgow Caledonian University, and pretty soon the international medical community was aware of the discovery. The results have been so rewarding that the idea is being exported to Canada, with ice hockey providing the key to communication.

Professor Debbie Tolson is the director of the university's Centre for Evidence Based Care of Older People. She embarked on an evaluation to see if this approach genuinely worked. Her results were impressive and she describes this kind of reminiscence work as something that could "make a big impact". There are nearly 25 million people with dementia across the world, with an estimated 4.6 million new cases each year. This programme follows the Centre's progress and evaluates the impact on the lives of those they're working with.

07

05

20110209

20110213

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular.

Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause.

But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

Series investigating matters of health and wellbeing.

07

05

20110209

20110213

Series investigating matters of health and wellbeing.

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20120305

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

The peri-menopause? Never heard of it? Alison Craig reveals all.

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20120310

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20120312

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

The peri-menopause? Never heard of it? Alison Craig reveals all.

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20110209

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20110209

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

07

05

The Peri-menopause

20110209

2012031220110213 (RS)20130113 (RS)

? Never heard of it? Alison Craig reveals all.

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

From your late mid 40s things start to go a bit irregular. Either non-stop rivers of Babylon or once in a blue moon.

Sleeplessness, hot flushes, mood swings, low sex drive, weight gain, memory loss are just a few of the symptoms that that might indicate the peri-menopause. But what is the peri-menopause and how do you know you're in it? Alison Craig talks to the women who have been there and meets the experts who can offer various solutions.

The peri-menopause? Never heard of it? Alison Craig reveals all.

? Never heard of it? Alison Craig reveals all.

08

Chronic Kids

20120317

2/4.

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

08

Chronic Kids

20120312

20120319

2/4.

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

More than 750 people in Scotland are waiting for an organ which could save their life. Across the UK three people die every day on the waiting list.

Research suggests people feel conflicted over donation. Over 90 per cent of people support it, and yet only 30 per cent of the population have signed up to the donor register.

Denise confronts the issues and asks if more can be done to increase transplants. 4/4.

Medical Matters explores why more people don't donate their organs.

4/4

Research suggests people are conflicted over donation. While over 90 per cent of people support it, only 30 per cent of the population have signed up to the donor register.

Denise confronts the issues and asks what more can be done to increase transplants.

08

Sport Of Hard Knocks

20120324

3/4

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

John Beattie asks whether his brain could have long term damage from his rugby career.

08

Sport Of Hard Knocks

20120319

20120326

3/4

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

John Beattie asks whether his brain could have long term damage from his rugby career.

08

01

Chronic Kids

20120312

2012061320120613 (RS)

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

08

01

Chronic Kids

20120312

20120616

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

08

01

Chronic Kids

20120312

20120617

08

02

Chronic Kids

20120312

2012031720120319 (RS)

Jane Williams explores how kids with chronic conditions learn to look after themselves.

2/4.

08

02

Sport Of Hard Knocks

20120319

2012060220120602 (RS)20121226 (RS)

2/2

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain for some people? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

2/2

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain for some people? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain for some people? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

Almost 800 people in Scotland are waiting for an organ which could save their life. Across the UK three people die every day on the waiting list.

Research suggests people are feel conflicted over donation. While over 90 per cent of people support it, only 30 per cent of the population have signed up to the donor register.

It was the death of her friend, the writer Frank Deasy in 2009, that convinced Denise to sign up to the register. He had been waiting for a liver transplant for seven months when he died.

In 'Life After Death' Denise goes on a personal journey to confront the issues and ask what more can be down to convince people to donate their organs and those of their family members.

08

03

Life After Death

20120326

20120623

08

03

Life After Death

20120326

20120624

08

03

Sport Of Hard Knocks

20120319

2012032620120324 (RS)

3/4

Could sports such as rugby and football, great for fitness and socialising, actually be creating conditions for dementia-like symptoms to set in on the brain? John Beattie investigates how the innocuous and not-so-innocuous knocks taken by players are being shown to potentially have debilitating effects years later, unknown to the former players.

Taking the research from the crushing sport of American Football as a starting point, John discovers what lessons could be learnt for people who play rugby, football and other sports.

John Beattie asks whether his brain could have long term damage from his rugby career.

MRSA outbreaks are still making the headlines in Scotland, despite the Scottish Executive's task force on healthcare acquired infections.

Cathy MacDonald looks back at the work of the task force.

206A

05

20060208

20060209

Documentary investigating the use of new experimental treatments to treat illness and disability.

Cathy MacDonald looks at the harm caused by passive smoking.

206A

06

20060215

6/8.

Documentary investigating the use of new experimental treatments to treat illness and disability.

Cathy MacDonald looks at the basic skills of mental health first aid.

206A

07

20060222

Documentary investigating the use of new experimental treatments to treat illness and disability.

Cathy MacDonald talks to people about their recovery from depression.

206A

08 LAST

20060301

20060302

The NHS in Scotland is to start employing people who have recovered from mental illness to help those in the same boat.

Cathy MacDonald looks at this unique development in mental health services.

206C

01

20060705

20060706

Cathy MacDonald looks at the benefits of hyperbaric chambers, which can treat an impressive list of ailments.

Programme examining treatments and issues in Scottish medicine.

206C

02

20060712

20060713

Like a well oiled engine, our bodies will only perform at their best if they're fuelled properly.

Cathy MacDonald takes a critical look at our diet to reveal what we should be eating and when, whether we're sitting exams, running a 10K, or simply want to avoid that post-lunch early afternoon slump.

206C

03

20060719

20060720

Cathy MacDonald looks at whether the elderly are bearing the brunt of a shortage of resources in the NHS and how simple projects could transform their experience in hospital.

206C

04

20060726

20060727

206C

05

20060802

20060803

Cathy MacDonald heads off to the country to find one of our most dangerous parasites, hopefully before it finds her - Lyme disease which spreads by sheep ticks.

206C

06

20060809

20060810

We thought we'd wiped out diseases rife in the 19th century such as scarlet fever and rickets.

So why are they making a comeback in Scotland in the 21st century? Cathy MacDonald finds out why we've failed to eradicate them, and how modern medicine can best protect us.

206C

07

20060816

20060817

Cathy MacDonald looks at the revolution going on in cancer care, including a new treatment pioneered in Scotland.

206C

08

20060823

20060824

8/9.

How can you get the best from the NHS? From minor ailments to life-threatening disease, Cathy MacDonald explores the latest developments in medicine from across Scotland.

206C

09

20060830

20060831

9/11.

How can you get the best from the NHS? From minor ailments to life-threatening disease, Cathy MacDonald explores the latest developments in medicine from across Scotland.

206C

10

20060906

20060907

Catch some good Zzzzs last night? If so, you're lucky.

Many of us just don't get enough sleep, and conditions such as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnoea are common.

Cathy Macdonald investigates the troubled world of sleep, and the treatments available.

206C

11 LAST

20060913

20060914

Cathy MacDonald investigates the use of new experimental treatments to treat illness and disability.

This edition looks at the condition of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

207A

01

Nhs 24

20070103

20070104

Cathy MacDonald listens in on a night of NHS 24 calls and asks if enough has been done to rebuild patients shattered confidence in medical help at the end of the phone?

207A

02

Knives

20070110

20070111

Scotland's knife problem is now seen as a major threat to public health.

Cathy MacDonald looks at how doctors and police are joining forces to try and combat it.

207A

03

20070117

20070118

Cathy MacDonald investigates the pros and cons of the latest generation of biologic drugs aimed at combating the skin condition, Psoriasis.

207A

04

20070124

20070125

First it was saturated fats, then it was cholesterol, now transfats are the latest nutritional bogeyman.

What are they and why are they so bad for us? Cathy MacDonald fills her shopping basket to discover just how much transfat we unknowingly consume.

She'll also ask the question: if they're effectively banned in some countries why don't we even have them labelled on our food?

207A

05

20070131

20070201

207A

06

20070207

20070208

Have you ever missed the last couple of tablets in a course of antibiotics? Did you keep up the physiotherapy after that break or sprain? If your answers are no then you're not alone.

Half of us fail to complete treatments given to us by our doctors.

Cathy MacDonald investigates why our compliance with treatment is often so poor and looks at the ways it might be improved.

207A

07 LAST

20070214

20070215

207B

01

Me - 1

20070627

20070628

As part of a special double feature, Medical Matters explores one of the most misunderstood and controversial of diseases, ME.

Cathy MacDonald reveals the cutting edge research aimed at finding a cure for ME.

She explores the widespread misconceptions about it and some of the alternative therapies which have proved helpful for some sufferers.

207B

02

20070704

20070705

In a special primetime edition, Cathy MacDonald discovers why the menopause can be a source of liberation and celebration.

For generations of women it was a taboo subject but now, with 50 being the new 40, women are in their prime.

207B

03

20070711

20070712

How much do we know about what's in the food we eat? Cathy McDonald examines what colourings and preservatives are to be found in even the most innocuous of foods, and whether we should avoid them.

207B

04

20070718

20070719

With statistics revealing a serious increase in alcohol related liver disease in Scotland, Cathy MacDonald explores what's causing this increase and what can be done about it.

207B

05

20070725

20070726

Cathy MacDonald speaks to people who suffer from Crohn's Disease, a debilitating condition which is on the increase in Scotland.

She hears about recent advances in research into the causes of the illness, and how successful treatments can make it possible to live a relatively normal life.

207B

06

20070801

20070802

207B

07

20070808

20070809

Cathy MacDonald reveals how a pioneering Scottish research project aims to help end insomniacs' restless nights.

207B

08

20070815

20070816

Cathy MacDonald discovers the challenges of providing people with palliative care.

207B

09 LAST

20070822

20070823

Rod Stewart and Michael Douglas have both fathered children later in life, but could men have reason to fear the ticking of their biological clock? With Cathy MacDonald.

208A

01

20080102

20080103

As the party dresses go back in the wardrobe Cathy MacDonald explores what health risks we're prepared to run for the sake of fashion.

From those killer heels to the trend for bigger and bigger tattoos, is looking good always worth it?

208A

02

20080109

20080110

While doctors fear that type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions, much less publicised has been the quadrupling of patients being diagnosed with type 1.

Even more worrying is that the biggest increase has been in children under five.

Cathy MacDonald investigates why we're witnessing such an explosion in both diseases and whether there might be a common cause.

208A

03

Snoring

20080116

20080117

No one wants to admit to it and fewer still do anything about it.

But for a condition that can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, relationship problems and potentially affect the health of anyone within earshot, it's anything but trivial.

Ignoring it can also mean that more serious health problems go untreated.

Cathy MacDonald pulls back the covers on one of Scotland's most undertreated health problems to find out if we're too embarrassed to get a good night's sleep.

208A

04

20080123

20080124

Surveys show that 80% of addicts want to kick their self destructive habit.

The problem is addiction services in Scotland are geared towards reducing the harm from drugs rather than helping people off them.

But this is about to change with the piloting of new abstinence services.

Cathy MacDonald goes inside one of these new centres to find out that what they offer is a long, hard road of self discovery, hopefully leading to a life without the need for drugs.

208A

05

20080130

20080131

Cathy MacDonald presents the second of two programmes following the latest developments in treating addictions.

She tracks the progress of two patients after their completion of Scotland's first drug abstinence programme as they begin to put their lives back together.

208A

06

20080206

20080207

2007 saw one of the highest annual figures of new HIV infections in Scotland for 20 years.

Presenter Cathy MacDonald finds out how the route to infection has changed over the last two decades, and how Scotland is fighting it.

208A

07

20080213

20080214

You can't feel it and you certainly can't hear it but ultrasound encourages damaged tissues to heal, destroys tumours and even blasts kidney stones apart.

Yet it also allows us to look inside our bodies to see unborn babies.

Cathy MacDonald finds out how this Scottish invention, originally used to detect flaws in tank armour, has become essential in almost every branch of medicine.

208A

08 LAST

20080220

20080221

208C

01

20080910

Writer Donna Franceschild draws on her own recent experiences of mental illness to investigate the unregulated world of internet support sites.

208C

02

20080917

While the treatment of stroke has made huge progress, in many cases it still isn't being treated as a medical emergency.

Pennie Taylor looks at how this is all about to change.

208C

03 LAST

20080924

It used to be that almost all operations meant an extended stay in hospital, but with new techniques being developed all the time these stays are getting shorter and shorter.

The result is that you get home sooner, hospital efficiency goes up and waiting lists come down.

But is this shift to short stay and one-day surgeries the win everyone thinks?